Photo: Thomson200, public domain (CC0), via Wikimedia Commons
Blue Ridge is the most resort-like of the North Georgia mountain towns, with a walkable downtown of restaurants, galleries and outfitters and cabin rentals scattered through the hills. It sits about 92 miles north of Atlanta, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes without traffic, at the edge of the Chattahoochee National Forest on the Toccoa River. Here are the best things to do in Blue Ridge, checked in October 2026.
- From AtlantaAbout 92 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes without traffic
- CountyFannin County
- Known forThe Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, cabin rentals, trout fishing, Lake Blue Ridge and apple orchards
- Visitor infoDowntown visitor center, 282 W. Main St., open daily 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Fannin County Chamber, 152 Orvin Lance Dr.
Top Things to Do in Blue Ridge
1. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway
Trains leave the downtown depot for a 26-mile round trip along the Toccoa River to McCaysville. The four-hour excursion includes a two-hour layover in McCaysville and Copperhill, Tennessee; a two-hour express skips the stop. Check brscenic.com for schedules and fares.
2. Lake Blue Ridge
A clear, 3,290-acre TVA lake about 11 miles long, with most of its 65 miles of shoreline undeveloped. Good for boating, swimming and fishing for walleye, bass and stocked rainbow trout.
3. Toccoa River
One of North Georgia’s best trout streams, stocked every year with rainbows and browns. Paddlers can follow the 13.8-mile Toccoa River Canoe Trail to Sandy Bottoms.
4. Aska Trails
About 17 miles of free Forest Service trails for hiking and mountain biking along Aska Road, from easy 1-mile loops to the strenuous Stanley Gap Trail. The Deep Gap trailhead is 4.4 miles south of town.
5. Mercier Orchards
A family orchard opened in 1943, with a market, bakery and deli and seasonal fruit. It is the classic last stop on the way home, especially in apple season.
6. McCaysville and the state line
A short drive north, McCaysville and Copperhill, Tennessee, share one downtown split by a painted blue line, so you can stand in two states at once.
Advertise in Blue Ridge
Own a cabin rental, inn, restaurant, shop or outfitter in Blue Ridge? Put it in front of visitors planning their trip. See our advertising options or download the 2026 media kit (PDF).
Events and Seasons
Fall is the busiest season, with apple picking and color on the ridges in late October; see our fall color report and best apple orchards. The railway runs holiday trains in December; see Christmas train rides in Georgia.
Nearby Towns and Trip Planning
Pair Blue Ridge with McCaysville, Ellijay, Blairsville, or compare all of them in our 10 best North Georgia mountain towns. For the bigger picture, see 20 best things to do in North Georgia, the North Georgia map and our lodging and accommodations listings.
Common Questions
What is Blue Ridge, GA known for?
Blue Ridge is best known for the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway, cabin rentals, trout fishing, Lake Blue Ridge and apple orchards.
How far is Blue Ridge from Atlanta?
Blue Ridge is about 92 miles from downtown Atlanta, roughly 1 hour 50 minutes by car without traffic.
How long is the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway ride?
The trip is a 26-mile round trip along the Toccoa River between downtown Blue Ridge and McCaysville. The standard excursion takes about four hours, including a two-hour layover in McCaysville and Copperhill, and a two-hour express makes the same trip without the layover.
Is there a lake in Blue Ridge, Georgia?
Yes. Lake Blue Ridge is a 3,290-acre Tennessee Valley Authority lake on the Toccoa River just outside town, about 11 miles long, with most of its shoreline in the national forest.
Sources we checked
Facts on this page were checked on October 15, 2026. Drive times are from downtown Atlanta (Five Points) using OpenStreetMap routing and do not include traffic. Hours, fees and event dates change, so confirm before you go:
- Fannin County Chamber & CVB: visitor centers and hours
- Blue Ridge Scenic Railway: route and trip lengths
- U.S. Forest Service: Aska Trails
- U.S. Census Bureau: 2024 population estimate (1,246)
Spot something out of date? Email Contact@n-georgia.com and we’ll check it against the official source. Read how we research our guides.